Stars Out Of The Spotlight: Chad Greenway

A 1st round pick in 2006, LB Chad Greenway has fit the bill during his 4-year Vikings career. After missing his rookie season with a knee injury, Greenway bounced back aggressively in 2007 by playing in 16 games, finishing 2nd on the team with 130 tackles and leading the team with 6 takeaways. He followed that up by leading the team with 150 tackles in 2008, stepping up his game when LB E.J. Henderson was lost for the season in Week 4.

The 2009 season was another big leap forward for Greenway, an athletic and instinctive LB who helps comprise a solid group of players under position coach Fred Pagac. Greenway once again led the Vikings in tackles this season with 127 and answered the bell in Henderson’s absence for the 2nd consecutive season.

Henderson was lost for the remainder of the season during Week 12 at Arizona. While playing alongside Henderson, Greenway registered 88 tackles (7.3 per game). With Henderson out of the lineup, though, Greenway stepped up and registered 53 tackles in 6 games (8.8 per game). Greenway also led all NFL LBs in takeaways with 6 (3 INTs and 3 fumble recoveries).

Determination and a relentless work ethic have defined Greenway’s football career. Those traits have allowed him to become a 3-down LB in the NFL and one of the Vikings most valuable defensive players.

While he’s not always in the spotlight, there’s no doubt Greenway is one of the Vikings stars.